After school, in the Student Council Room.
"Now then, once again, thank you for your hard work at the Student General Meeting, everyone."
「「「「「 Thank you for your hard work!! 」」」」」
With the Student General Meeting successfully concluded, the members of the Executive Committee were set to rotate out starting today. In other words, this was the final gathering of the old Executive Committee—for the most part, anyway.
I say that because Uesaka-san had already promised to continue participating in the committee, and the other two seniors had also agreed to come help whenever they had spare time. Basically, our current situation wasn't going to change all that much. If anything, having more hands on deck would probably make things easier.
Since everyone understood the arrangement, the atmosphere wasn't gloomy or overly sentimental. It was purely a respectful exchange to acknowledge everyone’s efforts. After all, we had already shared our initial impressions right after the meeting ended in the stage wings.
"Even though we're saying it ends today, nothing really changes until the school festival is over."
"Timing-wise, it’s been the same for the seniors every year, after all."
Since they were saying it themselves, we decided to gratefully accept their continued support.
"Everyone worked hard today, so how about we dismiss early?"
Since Uesaka-san had already stepped down as President, the final decision-making power now rested with the current President, Sara. Thus, his suggestion was more of a proposal for her to approve.
"You're right. It’s customary to hold any celebration party after the Cultural Festival is over, so let's call it a day. It’s not the only reason, but we also have plans after this..."
The plans Sara mentioned referred to the meal gathering at the Satsukawa house scheduled for today. Because of our promise for her to return home once a week, we were supposed to go shopping on the way back and then head to the Satsukawa house for dinner.
Apparently, Masaomi-san was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing his beloved daughter, and Mayumi-san had sent a message saying he was determined to finish his work and get home early today.
"Is something special going on?"
"We’re having a meal gathering at my family home today. We need to do some shopping on the way back."
"Heh, if Takanashi-kun is going with you, it really is a family affair. Oh, by the way, is your father okay with that? I always have this image of fathers and boyfriends having a bad relationship."
"He's perfectly fine with it. My father is actually delighted that Kazunari-san is going to become our adopted son-in-law."
I suppose the female officers just loved getting excited over this kind of talk. Sara loved talking about our relationship, so it was an easy topic for those around her to bring up. However, I was constantly on edge, worrying she might accidentally expose something problematic by taking the conversation too far.
Especially things like our baths together...
"...Hm? Takanashi-kun is becoming an adopted son?"
Naturally, everyone present heard her, even those not directly involved in the conversation. Uesaka-san stared at me as if to confirm the "adopted son-in-law" part, seemingly curious about the detail.
"Yes. Technically, that's how it's going to be. Sara's parents requested it."
"I see. (Wait... that's right, the Satsukawa house is Sawa Electronics... Eh? Which means Takanashi-kun is...)"
Uesaka-san stared intently at my face, his eyes wide and his mouth half-open as if he had just realized something shocking. I wondered what had brought that on.
"Is that so? As a girl, I have a stronger image of the bride marrying into the husband's family, but are you okay with that, Satsukawa-san?"
"Fufu... either way, it doesn't change the fact that I will become Kazunari-san's wife. In the future that lies ahead, I will be with Kazunari-san forever and ever, always..."
Saying that with a blissful smile, Sara leaned her weight against my arm. Usually, she doted on me to an excessive degree, but there were times like this when she acted spoiled herself.
"U-Ummm, to be honest, even if you talk about marriage and wives to us high schoolers, it doesn't really feel real. I can wrap my head around having a lover or a boyfriend, but... how can you think that far ahead, Satsukawa-san?"
"Yeah, I thought the same thing. Honestly, it doesn't feel like a conversation high schoolers should be having. It's a bit 'heavy,' isn't it? What about you, Takanashi-kun?"
It was only natural for them to feel that way. Even as one of the parties involved, it didn't feel entirely real to me yet, and the reality was that I still didn't fully grasp the weight of it. It would be even harder for an outsider to understand.
"The most important thing to me is being able to stay with Sara forever. I just think of it as the destination where our current relationship eventually leads, and for now, I'm fine with that."
"Yes. Honestly, I do have a longing for marriage itself, but I feel like it's just an extension of our current relationship. To use an analogy, right now I'm in a probationary period, and after marriage will be the real thing."
The way she looked up at me with those upturned eyes was simply too cute, and I reflexively patted her head. Sara wasn't surprised by the sudden gesture; she just narrowed her eyes like a cat and leaned into me comfortably.
"...I'm scared of myself for being able to talk normally while they flirt right in front of me."
"...Me too. The boys who used to admire her must be in hell right now."
"You'd better get used to it quickly. Those two are only going to get worse from here on out."
"H-Hanako-san, let's at least say they'll get 'closer' instead..."
I fully understood that our relationship deviated significantly from that of average high school students. But the fact that I was able to become lovers with Sara was, from my perspective, nothing short of a miracle. Considering that, I didn't think it was strange at all for people to view our relationship as abnormal.
The Satsukawa House
"Welcome ho—me!"
The person who greeted us when we opened the front door was Mayumi-san, wearing a beaming smile. She must have been waiting for us, as she appeared the instant we stepped inside.
I had heard that Masaomi-san was feeling lonely, but I suspected Mayumi-san felt the same way now that Sara had moved out. When I thought about that, I started wondering if there was anything I could do to help.
"Welcome home, Sara."
"I'm home."
In contrast to the joyful Mayumi-san, Sara appeared as composed as always. However, she seemed to be happy deep down, as the corners of her mouth were slightly relaxed.
"Welcome home, Kazunari-kun!"
Squeeze.
Just as I registered her high-energy greeting, Mayumi-san moved with incredible speed. Without even waiting for my reply, she pulled me into a hug in the blink of an eye. It happened so fast that I couldn't move. And in the limited space of the entrance, even Sara—who usually blocked Mayumi-san's advances—couldn't intervene in time.
Since Mayumi-san was standing on the raised step of the hallway, I ended up perfectly nestled against her. Yes, right against that place that could only be described as the epitome of motherhood.
I was a bit surprised to realize Mayumi-san’s impressive proportions once again, but of course, Sara remains the best for me. Even so, I wondered if it was genetic for mother and daughter to do the exact same thing, or if they were just that similar.
"Nfufu, since we have plenty of time today, your mother-in-law is going to dote on you to make up for all the times we haven't seen each other..."
Yank!!
Sara’s hand reached around from behind and pulled me away from Mayumi-san with incredible force. With that same momentum, I was tucked into Sara’s own embrace. The size was a bit different, but the sense of security and comfort was on a whole other level. My own psychological attachment likely played a big part in that.
"What do you think you are doing?! I won't allow this even if you are my mother! Besides, Kazunari-san loves my hugs! Right, Kazunari-san?"
Whether she was fired up from anger or something else, Sara shielded me from Mayumi-san while forcefully pressing my head into its fixed position against her. My mouth was buried, so I couldn't give a verbal answer. I had no choice but to nod several times to signal that she was right.
"Hyan!?"
Apparently, my movements were ticklish, as Sara let out a somewhat sultry gasp. I really wished she wouldn't make sounds like that in this position; it threatened to break my resolve, which was supposedly harder than Gundarium Alloy.
"G-Geez, Kazunari-san..."
She seemed to have regained her composure, but her voice sounded dangerously sweet, making my heart race.
"Aww, Sara can do this whenever she wants, can't she? Even Kazunari-kun was happy when I hugged him before~"
".........Huh?"
Tighten!!
"Mgh!?"
Sara’s grip on me suddenly intensified. This was a bit stronger than her usual punishments.
Mayumi-san’s hugs... as I tried to recall, I remembered being subjected to them several times under the guise of "punishment." Yes, a punishment. And Sara's punishment was exactly the same. They really were mother and daughter.
"Nfufu~, are you jealous?"
Mayumi-san teased Sara provocatively. Normally, Sara would be able to calmly ignore such things, but that often wasn't the case when it came to me. That's likely why Mayumi-san used me as a way to tease her.
"I'm sure you just forced it on him like you did just now, Mother. Honestly... Kazunari-san doesn't do things like that with anyone but me."
"Oh my, you're calmer than I thought. If you understand that, you should let him go."
"This is a separate matter. This is a punishment."
Of course, it wasn't a punishment at all. If someone said she just wanted an excuse to flirt, I could only agree.
"Eh? ...Is that Sara's punishment? Ufufufu... I see... so that's how it is... fufufufu..."
It seemed Mayumi-san had also realized that Sara's "punishment" was identical to her own. She couldn't stop herself from giggling.
"Kazunari-san, have you reflected on your actions?"
Meanwhile, Sara had clearly decided to ignore Mayumi-san.
Reflect... of course, I had. To convey that, I slowly nodded my head this time so as not to startle her.
"Yes... good boy♪"
It seemed I had been granted forgiveness, as she slightly loosened the force pressing me against her. I hadn't actually been struggling to breathe, so the change just meant I could lean against her more comfortably. Sara continued to stroke my head, speaking as if to instruct me.
"As I told you before, if you want a hug, I will give you one whenever you like. At school, in the classroom—anytime is fine with me. Please don't hesitate to ask, okay? Therefore, Mother is no longer necessary, right?"
"I-I understand."
I had no intention of asking for such a thing in the middle of a classroom, but if I answered like this, Sara would be satisfied. Besides, since I acted spoiled with her every night anyway, that was more than enough for me.
"Geez, Sara, you're keeping him all to yourself."
"It's not about keeping him to myself; you simply have nothing to do with our relationship, Mother."
In the end, thanks to Mayumi-san’s playful meddling, Sara refused to let go of me for quite some time. It was a while before we were finally able to move away from the entrance and into the house.